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Enhanced unemployment benefits, mental health, and substance use among low-income households during the COVID-19 pandemic

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  • Jeong, Soyun
  • Fox, Ashley M.

Abstract

To buffer the economic impacts of the pandemic-induced economic downturns, the U.S. government passed major economic stimulus bills that provided cash payments to affected citizens and a large boost to unemployment benefits. We ask what impact these enhanced safety-net policies have had on mental health and stress-induced substance use among low-income Americans, especially enhanced unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, which constituted a large economic transfer to those eligible.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeong, Soyun & Fox, Ashley M., 2023. "Enhanced unemployment benefits, mental health, and substance use among low-income households during the COVID-19 pandemic," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:328:y:2023:i:c:s0277953623003301
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115973
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    References listed on IDEAS

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